Dog - Dog Travel - Taking a Vacation with Your Dog

Like most dog owners, you probably take your dog with you on weekend excursions and trips to the country. When it comes time to take a longer vacation, however, we always face the dilemma of what to do with Fido. Traveling with your pup is not always practical, especially if you are flying somewhere. However, there are ways to make dog travel easier and more convenient -- it just requires a bit of planning. The best way of traveling with your dog is to go by car or recreational vehicle. You can make as many stops as needed and your dog has the space to stretch out. Dog travel by plane is a little bit more complicated but it is not impossible. If you are planning on flying somewhere with your dog, she will probably have to go in the cargo hold. This can be stressful for dogs, as the cargo hold is noisy and cold. Most airlines will not allow you to take your dog with you during winter weather -- it is simply too cold for a dog! When traveling with your dog, always keep in mind her safety and comfort. She should have plenty of water to drink at all times, but since she will be less active during the actual traveling time you can probably cut back on her food a little bit. Think about where you might be staying Where are you going to stay when you are traveling with your dog? If you are planning on staying in hotels, be sure you know their restrictions and policies regarding dogs. Some hotels will not let you leave the dog alone in the hotel room. If you want to attend an event that prohibits dogs, you will have to arrange for a pet sitter for a few hours. If your hotel caters to dog travel, they may be able to help you locate a local pet sitter. Maybe you're going to stay with friends when you are on the road. If your dog likes to jump on the furniture you should bring along a couple of old sheets to use as cover slips. Your friends will appreciate this touch and will be more likely to welcome you back for future visits with your pup. Your dog will feel more secure if you bring some objects from home. Although she will be happy to be with you, if she has her bed and a few toys she will feel more comfortable and less anxious. This will make dog travel more enjoyable for everyone involved. Because of their natural curiosity, dogs make wonderful travel companions. They also pave the way for making new friends when you are on the road. Dog travel can provide some of the most memorable vacations of your life and give you new perspectives and experiences everywhere you go. Copyright 2005 Jane K is a lifelong dog enthusiast with a family of four beloved dogs of her own which provide the inspiration for this site. To learn more about how to care for your own beloved dog - visit her at http://www.simply-dog-care-and-more.com You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jane_Kraynyk

Dog - The Attitude of a Toy Breed

Does your little toy dog know who is in charge? Or do they think they are in charge? Some people are not bothered that their little toy dog seems to run the household and may mistakenly call this being "spoiled." A better description would be lack of training or failure to set limits. The life of a little dog can become dangerous without some official "human" rules. Dogs have excellent ability, senses and ways of communicating with us. They do need to learn the limits of living in our human society without allowing them to be "little people" who can just do as they please. Dogs are like children. They feel more secure and understand how they fit into the world around them when rules and limits are set for them. Because small dogs are less dangerous and are capable of doing less harm, aggressiveness is often overlooked and uncorrected. People often put up with a small dog's aggressiveness. However, all dogs are much more enjoyable when they are well mannered. A toy dog with good manners is an ideal companion. Teaching good manners to your small dog will allow him to be welcome everywhere he goes. Obedience commands are the ideal way to teach small dog manners and prevent or correct problems. The first thing any dog or puppy should hear when he is headed for trouble is a stern "NO!" He must learn this word means to stop immediately whatever naughty thing he is doing. That "NO" should always gains his immediate attention. Remember to praise him when he does the right thing. For a puppy to remain safe he needs to learn four or five commands. Teaching him the command "Wait" will keep him from jumping out in front of a car. Sit, Stay and Come are the other important commands to teach your toy puppy for his own safety. The commands of "Leave it" and "Out" are also important commands for the curious toy puppy. Begin training your toy puppy as soon as he has settled into his new home. Buy a good training book especially for the toy puppy and look for the gentle training methods. Even better is training classes with a professional trainer. Definitely learn whether or not the trainer has ever worked with toy breed dogs and puppies. A toy puppy should also be taught to lie on his side at a very young age. This training is especially valuable for the toy breeds that have a lot of hair and will require regular brushing. Even though your toy breed puppy is very small, and quite easily to pick up, and carry around, train him to wear a collar and leash as soon as possible. Connie Limon raises Shih Tzu Puppies. Buy Designer Dog Clothes and accessories made especially for any toy breed dog are offered at: http://www.littleguysdogclothesshop.com Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connie_Limon

Dog - Dog Breeders: A Good Way To Buy A Dog?

Purebred dogs are all the rage. For many people who are looking to purchase a purebred dog, they do a dog breeder search in order to buy it. Before you rush out and plop down several hundred dollars for your pure breed pup, there are a few things that are important to know. It is very important to educate yourself BEFORE you buy your puppy from a breeder. You can find breeders by searching the newspaper or using the Internet, and a number of different places. But what do you really know about the breeder? Some breeders are nothing more than "puppy mills" or farms. Since you don't have to be licensed to be a breeder, the backyard breeder - the dog owner who decides to raise puppies for sale as an income generally has little knowledge - or do they bother to understand - the genetics of the breed or proper nutritional requirements to keep the dog healthy. And it's not uncommon for puppies that come from unlicensed breeders to be sickly and harboring diseases. And puppy mill puppies frequently turn up in pet stores. Ironically, pet stores are the WORST place to buy a dog. These dogs come from puppy farms where they are often abused, neglected and inbred. Dogs from pet stores are many times nearly impossible to train, prone to illness and disease, prone to behavioral problems like compulsive chewing or barking, as well as being almost impossible to crate train. Believe it or not, practically any breed that you could want to purchase is available in your local area. Purebred dogs are increasingly found at your local animal shelter. And there are breed specific rescue organizations. Of course most of these dogs are no longer young puppies because people turn them in once the fad has worn off - generally that happens around 6 months to one year from the time they got the pup. If you are insistant on getting a puppy, the safest route is to find a dog breeder who is licensed. Some of the best options for finding a professional dog breeder would be to attend local dog shows, visit pet supply stores, pet expos or ask a veterinarian for recommendations. However you still need to do your own homework. Ask lots of questions about the dog you're getting, expect the breeder to ask you questions about yourself and your lifestyle as well. If they don't, be cautious. Good breeders don't want their dogs to end up in homes where the potential owner doesn't have time for the dog or doesn't understand the work involved in raising one. A store clerk or amateur breeder who simply hands you a dog in exchange for your money is not doing you any favors. Many people buy their puppies over the Internet via some sort of dog breeder directory, but it is highly recommended that you buy from a breeder that you can visit. You can never be 100% sure of what you're getting over the Net. You need to be able to see the facility where the dogs are being bred. Is it clean, is the breeder a caring person, do the mothers look healthy, do the puppies have room to play? These are just a few things you'll need to see with your own eyes. And the answers to these questions will determine whether or not you buy your puppy from that breeder. Don't neglect this vital step. It could mean the difference between getting a healthy pup and a pup that may have eventually have problems. Did you know that barking is one of the major reasons that people end up losing their dog? Discover how to get your dog to stop barking once and for all. Read Cynthia Alexander's "Ultimate Guide to Stop Your Dog from Barking...FAST." Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cynthia_Alexander

Dog - Hand Held Diesel Programmers

There are many types of hand held diesel programmers out there, the ones we are going to talk about today are the Diablosport predator tuner, the Hypertech power programmer, and the Bullydog Triple Dog. These all have similar functions and power increases and a few unique features to each. The first one that we are going to talk about today is the BullyDog Triple Dog. One of the unique features of the Triple Dog is that it will work on any of the newer Ford, Dodge or Chevy diesel trucks. So it can be pulled off of a Ford Powerstroke and put directly onto a Chevy Duramax or Dodge Cummins. That is a very nice feature, because you can sell your truck and buy a new one even from a different company and not have to purchase another performance programmer. Also there is a free extreme program available to Triple Dog owners from Bullydog's website. On some trucks the extreme program adds up to 230 extra horse power. The second one we will talk about is the Diablosport Predator. This hand held programmer comes with three built in tunes for economy, economy while towing, and all out performance. This unit loads its program into the truck via the trucks diagnostic port. The Diablosport Predator also offers the ability to check and clear trouble codes as well as calibrate the speedometer for larger tires. Diablosport has a predator tuner for most new vehicles both diesel and gas. The Diablosport Predator also comes with a screen about three times larger than the competitions. The Hypertech power programmer also comes with three programs built in and a programmer for the diesel trucks and most gas vehicles. It also has the ability to adjust the speedometer for larger tires and can check and clear trouble codes, which can save a trip to the mechanics which is worth its weight in gold at times. The Bully Dog Diesel, Diablosport and Hypertech are some of the biggest names in performance- Nathan Young Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathan_Young

Dog - Who Really Is The Boss In Your House?

People let me tell you 'bout my best friend, he's a warm boy, cuddly toy, my up, my down, my pride and joy. People let me tell you 'bout him he's so much fun............. If you're old enough to remember that theme song - let's get together for lunch and commiserate. If you're not, it's from an old TV show called "The Courtship of Eddie's Father," and you should seek it out on DVD. The point here isn't nostalgia, though. It's a cute theme, but it's not good parenting - of children or dogs. Dogs are pack animals and need leadership clearly defined. If you don't take the lead, Muffy thinks she's in charge. And Muffy has absolutely no clue how your household should be run. You can be absolutely certain that if Muffy rules the roost, everyone's going to be miserable. You won't be able to eat, sleep, or live in peace. On the other hand, if you're in charge, Brutus is going to be a happy camper. Teach him the rules and insist that he lives by them. It works. The most difficult dog we've ever had is a Boston Terrier. She's a sweet dog, but her wiring is tangled. A friend of mine who works in a social service agency likened her to a child with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. We have developed a strict schedule for her and we stick to it. Given the opportunity, she would play constantly, whine when we didn't indulge her, and generally make life difficult. She does get to play fetch - when we decide it's time and for as long as we choose. We have a special timer for play sessions and when she sees us reach for it, she sits and cries for her special ball. We get the ball from her special shelf and throw that ball, without interruption, for as long as that timer is going, sometimes just five minutes, or as long as 15 minutes. When the timer beeps - that's it. The ball goes back on the shelf. Playtime is over. It took a while for her to adjust, but now she hears the beep, drops the ball, goes to get a drink of water and then finds a place to lie down. Our dog is an extreme example - but a valid illustration of the concept. When guests come over, she is allowed to greet them, but not jump on them, harass them, or drown them with licking (unless they invite it). After she's given the opportunity to say hello, she is confined to a crate in the same room, with chew toys to occupy her, where she can see and hear everything. We're able to have a nice evening with our company and without worrying about the dog ruining the gathering. It may be easier to "give in" to your dog's whining, begging or bad behavior. It's also a recipe for disaster - most dogs who are given up or abandoned lose their homes because of behavior problems. It's never too late to train a dog - they can always learn new tricks - and the most valuable trick of all may be learning to sit quietly. That's a good place to start. Put on your dog's leash and collar. Grab a handful of treats. Go sit down at the dining room table. Tell your dog to sit next to you - you sit on the leash. Read a magazine for five minutes. Have someone join you for a conversation. Drink a cup of tea. When Zeus is good, say "good quiet" and pop a treat. Ignore him if he whines. Try it for five minutes today. Maybe six or seven tomorrow. Don't push it too far - you want him to succeed. Reward like crazy when he's good. It's a first step in taking control of your dog and your life. Hope Saidel is the co-owner of GollyGear, a bricks-and-mortar and online small dog shop featuring fun, affordable and practical products for small dogs. She has trained and competed in Obedience with small dogs for over a decade and is on the Board of Directors of the North Shore Dog Training Club Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hope_Saidel